Fuquan Edwin to play for Oklahoma City Thunder summer-league team

Former Seton Hall star Fuquan Edwin, a Paterson native, reached an agreement Friday to play for the summer-league team of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He will play for the Thunder in Orlando, Fla., from July 5-11.

Earlier in the day, the plan was for Edwin to play for Philadelphia’s summer-league team, but in the end, Edwin and agent Joel Bell chose the Thunder instead.

“I’m very excited,” the former Paterson Catholic star told The Record in a phone interview. “I definitely feel that this is a better opportunity” than the potential one with Philadelphia.

Unlike the rebuilding 76ers, who went 19-63 in 2013-14, Oklahoma City is one of the better teams in the NBA. The Thunder had a record of 59-23 last season and lost to San Antonio in the Western Conference finals. The team is led by stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Edwin, who averaged 12.9 points in four seasons with the Pirates and had a school-record 295 steals, was hoping to be selected in Thursday night’s NBA Draft but wasn’t chosen. Edwin worked out for Oklahoma City and indicated that the organization scouted numerous college games of his.

Edwin noted that Oklahoma City drafted Stanford forward Josh Huestis, an excellent defender, in the first round Thursday night.

“Oklahoma City is trying to rebuild the defense,” Edwin said, “around their star players. That’s something I can bring to the table.